Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaDecember 27, 2017

Partly because they came late to the court this year, some high-profile cases before the Florida Supreme Court will remain unresolved by the close of 2017. As of this writing, the court’s weekly opinion release was going to be on holiday hiatus until Jan. 11, though “out-of-calendar releases” are still possible, a spokesman said. Here are a few of those pending […]

Peter SchorschDecember 25, 2017

A compilation of Christmas messages from Florida’s elected officials and politicians. U.S. Senator Bill Nelson: U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, via Twitter: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting […]

Associated PressDecember 24, 2017

The wave of sexual misconduct allegations that toppled Hollywood power brokers, politicians, media icons and many others was the top news story of 2017, according to The Associated Press’ annual poll of U.S. editors and news directors. The No. 2 story was Donald Trump’s tumultuous first year as president. A year ago, Trump’s unexpected victory […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 22, 2017

“Congressman Ron DeSantis is a brilliant young leader, Yale and then Harvard Law, who would make a GREAT Governor of Florida. He loves our Country and is a true FIGHTER!” A tweet from President Donald Trump may change the race for Florida Governor. DeSantis has been exploring a run for Governor for months now. And since […]

Jim RosicaDecember 22, 2017

An administrative law judge has struck down the state’s greyhound drug testing program, according to an order released Friday. Judge Lawrence P. Stevenson ruled that state regulators’ use of procedures in a “2010 Greyhound Veterinary Assistant Procedures Manual,” “even after being ordered to cease” doing so, was “invalid” and in violation of state law. The case […]

Scott PowersDecember 22, 2017

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gwen Graham released her plan Friday for assisting the tens of thousands of Puerto Rican families displaced to Florida because of devastation on their island from Hurricane Maria, including proposals ranging from affordable housing investments to Medicaid expansion. Graham’s package of proposals includes a call for a statewide coordinator of assistance programs […]

Scott PowersDecember 22, 2017

Brightline has secured federal approval for $1.15 billion in private activity bonds to finance its private, high-speed passenger train planned to link its South Florida passenger train railway with Orlando, the company announced Friday. The company, formerly known as All Aboard Florida, has received U.S. Department of Transportation approval for the tax-exempt bonds to double-track […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 22, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott touted another month of historically low 3.6 percent unemployment, and 14,000 new jobs created in November. Gov. Scott said, “I am proud to announce that Florida’s unemployment rate is at a 10-year low and that nearly 14,000 jobs were created for families across the state last month. As we near the end of […]

Staff ReportsDecember 22, 2017

Consumer sentiment in December fell both nationally and among Floridians, dropping 1.4 points in Florida from a revised November figure of 97.3 to 95.9, according to the latest University of Florida consumer survey. Among the five components that make up the index, one increased and four decreased. Opinions as to whether now is a good […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 22, 2017

Donors are demanding their money back from former state Senator (and still current candidate for Governor) Jack Latvala. However, the Fraternal Order of Police still stands by its endorsement of the Pinellas senator whose sexual harassment and intimidation became national news. And the next time the police union may review the decision will be in February — weeks […]

Headlines

High-profile Florida Supreme Court cases still hanging fire at year’s end

Compilation of Christmas messages from Florida’s elected officials and politicians

AP poll: Sexual misconduct allegations voted top news story of 2017

Ron DeSantis prospective gubernatorial bid gets Donald Trump’s seal of approval

Judge strikes down Florida’s racing-dog drug testing program

Gwen Graham’s plan for displaced Puerto Ricans: Housing, Spanish tests, Bright Futures, Medicaid

Brightline gets $1.1B financing approval for Orlando train

Rick Scott touts low unemployment, but that doesn’t tell the whole story

Florida consumer sentiment broke records in 2017, despite a downturn in December

Fraternal Order of Police still standing by ‘true champion’ Jack Latvala